Four arrested in 'Gas Station Heroin' probe
Investigators looking into illegal THC sales at local vape shops arrested four people on charges of distributing a product known as "Gas Station Heroin," Morgan City police said.
The drug, tianeptine, is approved in some countries as an antidepressant that can cause euphoria when taken in doses above the recommended levels.
Arrested Thursday were:
--Raed Kassim, 40, Hendricks Street, Patterson, on four counts of distribution of tianeptine and on a St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office warrant.
--Katie Leblanc, 19, Clements Lane,. Morgan City, on two counts of distribution of tianeptine.
--Madilyn Wilcox, 20, Second Street, Morgan City, on one count of distribution of tianeptine.
--Lindsey Brown, 20, Mark Drive, Morgan City, on one count of distribution of tianeptine.
The Morgan City Police Department said that within the past several months, investigators in the Narcotics Division conducted an investigation regarding local vape shops and the sale of illegal THC products and illegal narcotics, particularly tianeptine, also known as "Gas Station Heroin". The initial focus of the investigation was aimed at THC vape products and during the investigation it was discovered one of the owners and clerks were selling a product that contained tianeptine.
Tianeptine has recently been categorized as a Schedule I Control Dangerous substance due to its high abuse potential and no accepted medical use. During the course of the investigation, several purchases were made involving tianeptine that resulted in distribution warrants issued for an owner and clerks from these stores. The scope of the investigation also expanded to residence in the Patterson area.
On Thursday, investigators conducted a search warrant at two local vape shops located in Morgan City. The search warrant yielded numerous packages of the "Gas Station Heroin" along with illegal THC products. Kassim, Wilcox, Brown and Katie LeBlanc were identified as suspects during the investigation. They were taken into custody. During the search of the vape shops, it was discovered some illegal products were in hidden locations inside the store away from the public view.
Chief Chad M. Adams and the Morgan City Police Department would like to thank the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office and the Berwick Police Department for their assistance with this investigation and joint effort in keeping our children and community safe from these harmful products. "We urge our community to take time and learn about these toxic addictive products to protect our children and family," the Police Department said.
The investigation continues.